More to be charged in Johor real estate corruption scandal: MACC

JOHOR BARU: Several more people who were investigated in the Johor real estate corruption scandal are expected to be charged soon.

Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Azam Baki said those set to be charged were among several individuals arrested during the course of investigations.

He did not discount the possibility that former executive council member, Datuk Abd Latif Bandi, who was today charged with 33 counts of abetment along with another person for receiving bribes, could be slapped with other charges, together with the people about to be charged.

"Some have asked whether more people will be charged. I said yes, there will be people charged soon. The prosecution team and I have several elements in the investigation that need to be tightened.

"I will not reveal who is expected to be charged, but it is enough for me to say that they are among those who were detained in this case. Do not speculate that a VIP is involved or anything. There is no other (VIP)," Azam told reporters at the Puteri Pacific Hotel here after conducting a meeting with MACC investigation director Datuk Simi Abdul Ghani and Johor MACC director Datuk Azmi Alias.

He also thanked the state government, under Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, for giving its full cooperation in the investigation.

Azam said the MACC held a discussion with Johor officers about weaknesses in the state's real estate system, and said that the anti-graft body is preparing a final draft of a document that will be presented to the state government about weaknesses in the system that were involved in the case.